Sexy, jazzy, and above all, magical – that describes BLACKMAGIC, the latest podcast from Gilles Peterson, available completely exclusively on KSPACE. In its nearly half-hour of non-stop music, BLACKMAGIC focuses on one of Gilles’ greatest discoveries – 21^st century crooner José James and his second album of the same title, along with samplings of his 2008 debut The Dreamer and other influences that make up his sound.

James blends disparate yet related flavors – hip-hop, downtempo, jazz, even hip-hop – into one focused, artful whole. First track “The Dreamer” features cymbal rides that shimmer like rainfall under trumpets that recall Miles Davis’ soundtrack to Elevator of the Gallows.  “Save Your Love For Me,” meanwhile, switches up the game with a drum groove that evokes J. Dilla, its inherent funkiness belying the deeply romantic vocal from James. Indeed, James’ voice holds mystery, emotion, amour, and elasticity – sometimes he recalls the breathy sparkle of Chet Baker, sometimes the passion of Stevie Wonder, at others his voice echoes the tones of his idol John Coltrane, but James always sounds like himself. Hearing him, it’s no wonder that international artists as diverse as Basement Jaxx, Flying Lotus, Nicola Conte and Moodyman all have collaborated or co-produced with James, or that The Dreamer reached #21 on JazzTimes’ top 50 albums of 2008 chart. Expect Blackmagic – to be released worldwide on January 24^th – to follow in those velvet footsteps…

Tracklisting:

1. Jose James – ‘THE DREAMER’
2. Jose James – ‘SAVE YOUR LOVE FOR ME’
3. Vijay Iyer Trio – ‘Mystic Brew’ (Trixation Version)
4. Jose James – ‘TOUCH’
5. Jose James – ‘BLACKMAGIC’ (Untold Remix)
6. Jose James – ‘WARRIOR’
7. Jose James – ‘DETROIT LOVE LETTER’